Climate Change as Genocide Inaction Equals Annihilation

Michael T. Klare TomDispatch
“We have a word for the conscious slaughter of a racial or ethnic group: genocide. For the conscious destruction of aspects of the environment: ecocide. But we don’t have a word for the conscious act of destroying the planet we live on, the world as humanity has known it. A possibility might be ‘terracide’ from the Latin word for earth. It has the right ring, given its similarity to the commonplace danger word of our era: terrorist." Tom Engelhardt, May 2013

French Elections

The presidential election in France could determine the political future of Europe. John Oliver visits an excessively French bistro to deliver an urgent message to voters.

Ode to Joy in Nuremburg

Beethoven's Ode to Joy (Ninth Symphony) is the official anthem of the European Union. Flash mob performance by the Nuremburg Sympthony.

The Right to Science: a Vital Human Right Under Attack

Jessica M. Wyndham and Margaret Weigers Vitullo Open Democracy
The political war being waged against the right to science is challenging scientific evidence as a basis for policy-making, government funding for research, and scientists’ ability to convey their work. The right to science influences everything from freeing wrongfully accused prisoners to crop rotation. But to successfully defend the right to science, the scientific and human rights communities must more effectively articulate its unique value to human advancement.

Kicking Them While They’re Down: Trump’s Plan for Appalachia

Kenneth Surin CounterPunch
Appalachia, the federally defined region that consists of 490 counties in 13 states, is one of the poorest regions in the U.S., beset with unemployment but more importantly, with desperately low income levels among those with jobs. In 2016, 63% of Appalachian voters supported Donald Trump. And his proposed budget would reward them by making them even poorer, while eliminating the agency that compiles the statistics on Appalachian poverty, income, and employment.

Friday Nite Videos | April 21, 2017

Portside
Bernie: 'Our Job Is to Radically Transform the Democratic Party'. John Oliver | French Elections. Ode to Joy in Nuremburg. Dirt and Deeds in Mississippi. A Message to Trump from Climate Scientists.